Klaus Dieter Laser (February 17, 1942 - February 29, 2020) was a German actor whose career spanned five decades. He gained international recognition for his disturbing role as Dr. Josef Heiter in the 2009 horror film The Human Centipede (First Sequence). While the cause of his death was not publicly disclosed, his passing marked the end of a prolific career in German and English-language productions.
Early Life and Influences
Dieter Laser was born in Kiel, Germany, in 1942, the second child of Oskar and Lore Laser. His early life was marked by the tumultuous events of World War II. During his infancy, his father served as an officer in the German Wehrmacht in France. Due to constant air raids on Kiel, Dieter was evacuated with his mother and sister, eventually finding refuge in Rothenburg ob der Tauber. He was rescued from a burning air raid shelter by American soldiers.
Growing up in Hamburg, Laser's family belonged to a Christian community. He rejected the Christian faith and made a "contract with the devil" at the age of 14. After leaving the Gymnasium, he secretly attended rehearsals at the Hamburger Schauspielhaus.
Career Beginnings and Breakthroughs
In 1961, Laser was discovered by Gustaf Gründgens, who cast him in small roles at the Hamburger Schauspielhaus. From 1967 to 1974, he devoted himself to the theater, working with Peter Stein and becoming a member of the board of directors at the Berlin Schaubühne am Halleschen Ufer.
In the 1970s, Laser appeared in front of the camera under the direction of Rainer Erler, including the science fiction series Das Blaue Palais and the film Operation Ganymed. He won the German Film Award in 1975 for his performance in Ulf Miehe's John Glückstadt.
Read also: Good Design According to Dieter Rams
Recognition and Noteworthy Roles
Laser gained wider recognition in 1975 for his roles in the Tatort episode Kurzschluss and The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum. In 1986, he played Friedrich Deutz in the miniseries Väter und Söhne - Eine deutsche Tragödie. He also appeared in films such as Kaspar Hauser, Conversation with the Beast, and The Ogre.
In 2007 and 2008, he played the role of the Hun king Etzel at the Nibelungen Festival in Worms. In 2012, he played General Speckenschwardt in The Fortune of Mr. Wedel.
The Human Centipede and International Fame
In 2009, Laser played Dr. Josef Heiter in The Human Centipede (First Sequence), achieving international fame. The film gained cult status for its graphic content, and Laser's performance was widely recognized.
Laser was initially set to appear in the third Human Centipede film but left the project due to creative differences. After legal issues, he returned for The Human Centipede III (Final Sequence) in 2015, playing a different character.
Tributes and Legacy
Dieter Laser's death on February 29, 2020, was met with tributes from colleagues and fans. Tom Six, the director of The Human Centipede, called him "a force of nature, an unique human being and an iconic actor" and expressed pride in their collaboration. Actress Emma Lock, who starred in The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence), remembered Laser as "a friend, a colleague, mentor and someone I enjoyed many heart to hearts with."
Read also: Ernst Dieter Beck: A deep dive into his crimes
While the specific cause of death remains undisclosed, Dieter Laser's impact on cinema, particularly in the horror genre, remains significant. He will be remembered for his dedication to his craft and his unforgettable performances.
Read also: Espionage and betrayal: The Dieter Gerhardt case.